Happy mid-summer! You graduated! You finished the FAFSA! You chose a college! You may have even enrolled. But do you fully understand your financial aid and how you will pay for school? As you enjoy these sunny days, be sure to set aside some time to connect with the financial aid office. Ask questions if you’re unsure about the financial aid you’ve been offered. If you don’t know where to start or what to ask, try these questions.
- When will I know how much financial aid I’ll be eligible to receive?
- What should I do if I have an unusual circumstance that caused my/my parent(s)’ income to change?
- How can I make changes to the FAFSA form I submitted?
- Am I considered a dependent or independent student?
- Is there a way to change my dependency status?
- What is the total cost of attendance for this year and is that reflected on my financial aid offer letter?
- What is the average student loan debt for your graduates?
- When is my first tuition payment due?
- Do you offer an installment plan that would allow me to make monthly payments throughout the school year? If so, are there any associated fees?
- Are there resources available to help me investigate other types of aid, such as scholarships?
- If I’m awarded a scholarship, will it change the amount of aid you can offer me?
- Is the institutional scholarship renewable for additional years?
Be prepared when you call or visit the financial aid office by having a list of questions ready. Bring your aid offer, your FAFSA Submission Summary, your StudentAid.gov username and password, and any other supporting documentation with you to expedite the process. A knowledgeable financial aid officer can help answer your questions.
For more tips on your Freshman year, check out our College Freshman Checklist just to make sure you’re staying on top of everything. Good luck!